by Paty Jager
“The first set of mountains I saw while on the train.” Allie turned a bright face and huge smile at him. “I’ve always wanted a place that was within walking distance of a community but where I could find beautiful things to draw and write about.”
His breath stopped at the honesty and joy in her words and on her face. She was a woman who wanted simple things and a simple life. He could give her that if she’d let him.
Isaac sucked in air, restarting his breathing, and stared straight ahead as he said, “A cattle ranch would be a great place to find interesting things to draw and write about.”
She shook her head. “Not to live. I lived on a farm and worked myself ragged more days than I’d like to remember. I want a quiet, easy life.”
“That’s kind of selfish.” The minute the words were out he wished he hadn’t said them.
Allie shot him a glare and stopped, waiting for the mule to go by before she again walked behind the mule.
Isaac mentally smacked himself. Of course she was being selfish, she’d given up the early years of her life to take care of her sisters and brother. Now was her time to enjoy life. He picked a straight up route to tire the mule so he could talk with Allie when the mule stopped and because it was loose shale. The rock would make it hard for anyone to track their path.
Alamayda walked behind the mule, cradling the shotgun in her arms and fuming. “What gives Isaac the right to tell me I’m selfish?” she muttered to the backend of the mule. Not waiting for an answer she fumed on. “He didn’t have to spend his childhood taking care of a sick mother, sisters, and a brother. He didn’t have to keep a farm producing while cleaning a house and cooking.” The more she thought about it the angrier she became. She wasn’t being selfish. She was reaping her reward for being a good daughter.
Her legs felt the steeper climb and her feet slid on the loose rocks. If the load was heavy for the mule to bear why were they taking such a steep and precarious route?
Her feet slid out from under her.
She came down on her forearms but held the shotgun up from hitting the ground. Her teeth jarred and air whooshed out of her lungs.
The mule kicked rocks that slid down into her face. Alamayda rolled to her back and lay on the river of rock, staring up at the blue sky. Why is he taking us straight up these rocks? At the moment, she wanted to use the shotgun on Isaac. Several more rocks plinked and clattered around her. She laid the rifle by her side and wrapped her arms over her head. I’ll just wait here until the rocks stop raining down.
The sound of the mule’s feet seeking purchase on the slippery surface and the chinking and plinking of rocks around her seemed to go on a long time. When silence and the way off call of a bird was all she could hear, Alamayda rolled to her front, pushed up to her hands and knees, and spotted the tail end of the mule disappearing into trees at the left side of the river of rock.
Rather than try to walk up the slippery loose rock, she headed for the trees on the left side. If she kept inside the trees, she could make her way up the side of the mountain faster than on the rocks.
Crunching and skittering noises echoed in the stillness with each step she took. Within minutes she stood inside the trees. The footing was much better. She headed up the mountain faster than while on the rocks. Halfway between where she entered the trees and where she saw the mule disappear, she heard her name called.
“Allie! Allie!”
Isaac’s frantic call, moved her toward the rock flow. The sound of raining and grating rocks grasped her attention. She peered out of the trees to see Isaac sliding down the mountain in a wave of loose rocks.
“Isaac!” she hollered and shot out of the trees. “Isaac!”
He washed by her, but not before his gaze latched on to her.
His feet dug into the rock. His descent slowed and he stopped.
She couldn’t believe her eyes. She’d thought he was caught in an avalanche of shale, but he’d used the flow of the rocks to carry him quickly down the mountain side.
Isaac stood and worked his way to the edge of the rocks. “What are you doing over here?” he asked before pulling her into his arms and against his chest.
His arms held her tight. She could feel and hear the rapid beating of his heart. He released her, holding her by her upper arms.
“Why are you over here in the trees? When I stopped to give the mule a break and didn’t see you… I thought something had happened to you.”
“Something did. My feet slid out from under me and the mule kicked rocks in my face. I lay there with my head covered until I didn’t hear anything. I looked up to see the tail end of the mule entering the trees. I thought since it’s easier to walk here I’d catch up faster.”
Isaac pulled her back against his chest. “Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Not really,” she said, snuggling her face into his neck, enjoying the closeness and his caring.
“I took that route so there wouldn’t be tracks for anyone following us.” He held her away. “Can you tackle the rocks again if I help you?”
“Yes.” She didn’t have to think about it. She knew in her heart together they could handle anything.
Isaac grasped her hand and took the shotgun from her. Hand in hand they left the trees and scrambled up the rock flow. With his help, she didn’t fall and they were at the top quickly.
Thirty feet inside the trees, the mule stood chewing a mouthful of grass.
“We can rest here,” Isaac said, leading her to a rock.
Alamayda sat, but she held onto Isaac’s hand. “I’m sorry you had to come back and look for me.”
He cupped her face in his hand. “Darlin’, I’ll always come back for you.”
Her body shivered with delight at the sincerity shining in his eyes. She wanted to believe he would come back.
Isaac leaned down and brushed his lips across hers. “I promise,” he said and sealed the promise with a long, sweet kiss.
His lips released hers and he straightened.
Alamayda sighed as she stared up at Isaac. His eyes spoke of promises and his grin made her insides flutter.
“Are you rested?” he asked, tugging her to her feet with the hand he still held.
“Yes.” She was more than rested. Her body was alive, jumpy, and wishing he’d kiss her again.
“Let’s go. I’d like to get to the cave before it gets too dark to see where we’re goin’.”
He didn’t release her hand. He’d put the shotgun back in the scabbard on the packsaddle and had his rifle and the lead rope in his other hand. Side by side they continued up the mountain.
Alamayda was content to hold Isaac’s hand and walk alongside him. They didn’t need conversation. The connection of their hands was enough.
The sun disappeared behind the mountain, and they kept a steady climb. She spotted the dark shape of the outcropping as the gray of dusk darkened before moonlight dusted the world with a golden glow.
Isaac kept a steady pace up the mountain with the outcropping in view.
Each step took extra energy and Alamayda’s legs felt as limp as cooked noodles. “Can we rest?” she asked, when her legs wobbled under her.
“You wait here. I’ll take the mule up and come back for you.” Isaac squeezed her hand and led her to a downed log.
“I’m sorry,” she started to apologize.
“Nothing to apologize for. This was a hard hike today. I’ll be back.” He kissed her forehead and continued toward the outcropping with the mule.
Even sitting, Alamayda’s legs quivered and lifting her hand to sweep a wayward strand of hair from her face was an effort. She’d be glad when they were looking for gold instead of climbing this mountain every day. Her stomach rumbled. They’d had little to eat today and had worked all day climbing.
Birds twittering in the trees and the soft rustle of leaves in the slight breeze tickling her neck took her thoughts from her hunger and aches. She pulled her sketch pad out of the knap sack on her back and sketched the sight of Isaac s
liding down the rock flow using his canvas duster as a sled of sorts.
Engrossed in her drawing, she looked up, thinking about the way the rocks looked. Her mind snapped to attention when her gaze took in two Indians standing not ten feet from her. Judging from their lack of clothing, flat chests, and rifles in their hands, they were warriors.
“H-hello?” she pushed passed the lump of panic in her throat.
They walked closer.
She held out her hands. “I don’t have any weapons. I won’t hurt you.”
One picked up her pad. He peered at her drawing then her. Turning the pages, holding the drawings up to the moonlight, he grunted. The other warrior stared at the pages as the first one turned them.
“You do this?” the first warrior asked.
Shocked the man spoke her language, she stammered, “Y-yes, I did.”
“Look good.” He handed the pad back to her.
Noise from up the mountain caught their attention.
Before Alamayda could decide whether or not to give Isaac a warning, one of the warriors raised his rifle.
Chapter Thirty
Isaac had tied the mule at the opening of the cave and hurried back down the mountain in a straight line. He didn’t like leaving Allie alone, but he’d seen how tired she was and knew she needed to rest. She’d kept up all day with hardly any food. And after he’d told himself he’d fatten her up, he was making her thinner.
Boom!
He flopped to the ground. A twig from a tree landed on the dried leaves beside his head.
His mind reeled. Allie didn’t have a rifle. Who was shooting at him? Had whoever went through their camp been following them and now had Allie?
That thought shot him to his feet. This time he didn’t crash through the trees and underbrush. He cautiously planted his feet to not make any noise.
Nearing the spot where he’d left Allie, he heard her voice.
“Don’t shoot. That’s my friend coming for me,” she said.
A deep voice said something but it was too low to hear the exact words.
Tarnation! The men had caught up to her. But why did she say he was a friend? Or that someone was even coming for her? She should have kept quiet and allowed him to sneak up on the men.
He stepped on a stick. The crack sounded like a gun going off in the quiet night. He hit the ground.
Boom! Another bullet whizzed through the trees.
“I said don’t shoot at him!” Allie’s angry voice made him smile. “Give me that gun.”
He heard what sounded like a scuffle.
That did it.
Rage flushed his vision red, and he tore through the trees with his hands ready to fight, rushing into the small area where he’d left Allie.
Isaac’s steps faltered when his gaze landed on two warriors laughing while holding their weapons behind their backs and watching Allie try to grasp the guns.
Isaac stopped as all eyes turned to him. He raised his rifle and aimed it at the two men. “Allie, get over here.”
She scurried over to his side. “Don’t hurt them,” she said.
He glanced at her. “What did they do to you?”
“Nothing. They liked my drawings.”
“But they were shooting at me,” he said.
“You sound like bear,” the older of the two warriors said.
The other warrior nodded and grinned.
“Who shot at me?” Isaac asked, trying to decide what to do about the two men.
The older warrior shrugged. “Darkness hide much from eyes.”
“Then why did you shoot when you didn’t even know if I was a bear?” He held the rifle on the two but could tell they were harmless. He’d come across other Indians who had left reservations in search of food for their families.
“We watch over Drawing Woman.” The younger warrior nodded his head and picked up Allie’s sketch pad. “She see more.” He stepped forward, offering the book to Allie.
She reached out, taking the book. “Thank you.”
Isaac started to say something when he heard Allie’s stomach rumble. “You need to eat.” He glared at the Indians. “We’re going to our camp.”
He grasped Allie’s arm, leading her up the mountain.
She twisted and said, “It was nice meeting you.”
“Nice?” Isaac said through clenched teeth as he continued moving up the hill. “They shot at me.”
“But they missed. And they thought my drawings were nice.” Her voice held awe.
“I told you your drawings were nice. That I thought they should be in periodicals.” Why did a compliment from two warriors mean more than a compliment from him?
“But they live in the outdoors, know it intimately, and they thought my drawings were nice.” She pulled her arm from his grasp and laced her fingers with his, all while keeping up with his strides up the mountain.
At the ledge under the outcropping, Isaac released her hand and pulled her into his arms. Twice today he’d thought he’d lost her. He hugged her close, thankful the two warriors had been more curious than dangerous.
Her arms wrapped around his middle under his duster. He liked the way she was freely returning his embraces and kisses.
Her stomach rumbled.
“Get the fire goin’ and I’ll bring in all our supplies.” He released Allie, peering into her eyes.
There was a fire burning in the brown depths. He’d seen desire in a woman’s eyes before. Then he’d done something about it. This time, he was older and wiser. He wasn’t about to get his heart broken again. With his age and wisdom, he understood what he felt for Allie was deeper and more fragile than the lust he’d had for Edith all those years ago.
Isaac kissed Allie on the forehead. “Go get the fire goin’.” He turned her to the cave entrance and spun about on his heels to unpack the mule.
Bein’s he was the most experienced at falling in love, he had to be the one who kept a level head. Allie had her fear of losing her freedom that would keep her from doing something to ruin her reputation, but he knew when desire hit the first time it was hard to rationalize.
He carried the first load of food supplies into the cave and placed them on the wall with their other things. “Here.” He handed the lit lantern to Allie.
“Thank you.” She took the lantern and set it on a small rock ledge on the side of the cave wall. The height gave off more light.
Isaac returned to the mule, returning again and again into the cave to stack their supplies in a pile. Tomorrow they could sort through things and set up for a more permanent stay. He took the packsaddle and blankets off the mule and tied him out to graze.
Back in the cave, he found Allie cooking salt pork and beans.
“Smells good,” he said, lowering onto a rock seat.
“It will fill our stomachs. Hopefully, tomorrow I can get things set up so I can cook a decent meal.” Allie peered over the fire at him.
“I’m happy with anything warm. When I was wandering around trying to be a gold miner, I tired of cold beans out of a can.”
“Oh! I have beans—”
He raised his hands to stop her. “I said cold beans. I’m looking forward to hot beans and salt pork.” He pulled his hat off and wiped a sleeve across his brow. “And I would have been happy with cold beans tonight knowing how tired you are.”
“I’m tired and hungry but hard biscuits and cold beans didn’t sound good.” Allie picked up the tin plates and filled each with the meat and the beans. “Tomorrow I’ll make a cobbler with some dried apples.”
Isaac’s mouth watered thinking about eating something sweet. “I won’t object.”
Alamayda laughed at Isaac’s playfulness and picked up her plate.
She contemplated this day. She’d met two Indians and found them amusing. She’d come across some in Kansas but these two didn’t appear as downtrodden as the reservation Indians she’d witnessed back home. And they liked my drawings. Happiness blossomed in her chest.
Sh
e’d witnessed Isaac’s irritation at her irrational happiness over the warriors liking her drawings. But these were men who lived in the outdoors and probably knew every plant and animal that lived on these mountains. For them to acknowledge she was capturing the wildlife correctly, thrilled her. She’d been told by her siblings and Isaac that her drawings were good, but they were people who cared about her.
Her gaze drifted from her plate to Isaac. He did care for her. The way he held her after the rock slide and again when they were safe on the ledge. His concern and devotion had been noticeable in his embrace, his eyes, and his kisses.
Alamayda placed a hand on her chest, feeling the rapid beating of her heart. Yes, she was falling in love with Isaac. She may have never been in love before but there was no denying her heart was his.
“Are you all right?” Isaac set his plate down and started to rise.
“Sit. I’m fine.” Alamayda dropped her hand and lifted her fork to her mouth.
The mule snorted and his hooves skittered rock.
Isaac shot to his feet. “Stay here.” He picked up his Winchester and headed to the entrance.
Alamayda want to tell him not to go, but understood someone had to check on the mule. She stood, unsure if she should pick up the shotgun and follow or stay with their supplies, in case… Thinking about something happening to Isaac started an ache in her chest.
How would I survive without him? Not only would she be left to find the mine by herself but her heart wouldn’t be in it to even try.
Before she could dwell on the sadness, his silhouette appeared at the entrance followed by two shadows. When the three walked into the light of the lantern, she laughed.
“What are you two doing here?” she asked as the two warriors from before sat cross-legged at the fire.
The older one motioned with his rifle. “We use cave when hunting.”
“This must have been your fire ring,” she said, motioning to the yellow and orange flames in the middle of the ring of rocks.
The warriors nodded.
Alamayda looked at Isaac and then her plate. They each had eaten only half of their food. “Would you like me to heat some beans for you?” she asked.
